The rising star of Austin Adoyo Odhiambo, a talented young retail network manager employed by Engen Kenya, now graces the firmament of the entire petroleum industry in that country.

Austin has just won Kenya’s inaugural Rising Star Award (Construction, Energy & Chemicals Category), honouring his promise and drive and providing an excellent showcase for the talent and development that the African oil multinational lays claim to.

Tough competition
The Rising Star Awards programme, sponsored by Engen, seeks to “identify, connect and develop the most talented young people (aged 28 to 40) across Africa”. 36-year-old Austin emerged the winner after a tight battle with worthy competitors from other big brands in the Kenyan oil industry.

Laura Barker, the organiser of the Awards programme, says judgment is rigorous. Finalists must complete individual assessments as well as 180-degree assessments (involving their managers) and a 150-minute interview, in which they are given an MBA-level case study and allowed just 60 minutes to prepare a presentation on problem scenarios before a panel of judges.

Rising to the occasion
“Austin satisfied the judges that he is a true Rising Star, displaying a focus on delivering results, meeting customer expectations, adhering to values and achieving personal work goals,” says Lungile Dumse, general manager, Human Capital at Engen.

Described as having a “great attitude and passion for his future”, and being “an endearing, extremely ambitious individual with very flexible talents”, Austin started his career before he even graduated with a diploma in Chemistry. Volunteering for a month at an Engen service station in Mombasa, he was offered a position shortly after, and since then has risen through the ranks.

Austin reports that his future ambition is to become the MD at Engen Kenya, saying he bagged various online learning packages from the win to further that ambition.

He also reveals a caring side, and welcomes the opportunity, courtesy of the award, to get involved with mentoring disadvantaged children as well as extending his own personal network.  Austin has boasts an impressive academic record having obtained a diploma in petroleum management, a degree in business and information technology and is currently completing his MBA,  majoring in strategic management.

And for these stellar qualities he received a glowing commendation, which reads as follows: “We honour him for his success to date, and eagerly anticipate his future contribution to Kenya’s prosperity.”